Bernard Brogan has questioned the GAA's plan to take blood samples for drug testing in the future and the Dublin forward does not believe that doping is an issue in Gaelic games.
The GAA has confirmed its intention to introduce blood testing from next season, however, the All Star feels that the use of needles is a problem and might not be well received by players.
“It’s a bit strange, it’s quite an invasive thing," the Ireland International Rules captain told RTÉ Sport.
“It’s a lot to ask someone for blood after a game or before a game. A lot of people might be afraid of needles. It is quite a strange one, but I’m sure there are reasons for it.
"I know the GAA, they want to be seen as the pure sport that they are and the culture of the GAA is very special so if that’s what we need to do to put ourselves on the map as the purest sport in the world, that’s what we need to do.
“I know the GAA have the best interests of the sport at heart but we have to do what we have to do.
"Is it the right way to do it? I’m not 100% sure"
“Obviously, there’s a reason for it, we’re showcase athletes and we do things in the right way but is it the right way to do it? I’m not 100% sure.
"We are amateur players. I know in certain sports it’s very important to test thoroughly because there are millions of euros at stake.
“If somebody wins a World Cup or a 100-metre race, there’s millions and millions of pounds at stake in sponsorship, whereas we do it for the love of the game and sport.
“Do we need to give blood to showcase our intent and why we play our sport?
“We’re not getting paid, we don’t come away with millions so no one is cheating each other, we win for pride and our parish, it’s not for money.
"It’s definitely something there’ll be a lot of debate about with players."
Asked if he believed doping was an issue in Gaelic games, he said: “I don’t know. The culture of the GAA is a pure sport.
"It’s definitely something there’ll be a lot of debate about with players"
“We all train hard and the commitment we give is as professional as anything but its ethos is purity and we’re very proud of that and the amateur basis of the sport.
"That’s what makes it so special, that we are so accessible and we’re in the community and the grass roots.
“I’d be very surprised if there were results to come out to say the opposite.”
